US Bridges

New Sweden RD over Little Madawaska River

Fair

Aroostook County, Maine · 1 MI Nwly of New Sweden · Structure no. 5759

Built
1957
68 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected October 2024
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete
Length
117 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
2,350
2016 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

New Sweden RD over Little Madawaska River is a concrete tee beam carrying New Sweden RD over Little Madawaska River in Aroostook County, Maine. It was built in 1957, so it is 68 years old, older than the Maine average of 53.7 years.

The most recent inspection reported to the Federal Highway Administration rates it in fair condition with a lowest component rating of 5 out of 9. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound.

It carries about 2,350 vehicles a day, roughly 5% of them trucks, projected to reach 3,290 by 2036. The structure is 117 ft (35.7 m) long and 31 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 24.9 mi (40 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesNew Sweden RD
CrossesLittle Madawaska River
Location1 MI Nwly of New Sweden
RouteState Highway 161
CountyAroostook County
StateMaine
Coordinates47.03035, -68.16913
Functional classRural Minor Arterial

Condition and inspection

Fair

The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Superstructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Substructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionOctober 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Waterway adequacy9: Superior to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating32.2 US tons
Inventory rating24.7 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadH 20
Structure length117 ft (35.7 m)
Longest span45 ft (13.7 m)
Deck width31 ft (9.4 m)
Roadway width26 ft (7.9 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic2,350 (2016)
Projected traffic3,290 by 2036
Trucks5%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed24.9 mi (40 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerState Highway Agency
Maintained byState Highway Agency
Historic statusHistorical significance not determinable at this time
Work proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was New Sweden RD over Little Madawaska River built?

It was built in 1957, making it 68 years old in 2025.

What condition is New Sweden RD over Little Madawaska River in?

The National Bridge Inventory rates it in fair condition. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound. The last reported inspection was in October 2024.

How much traffic does New Sweden RD over Little Madawaska River carry?

About 2,350 vehicles per day (2016 count), of which roughly 5% are trucks.

How long is New Sweden RD over Little Madawaska River?

The structure is 117 ft (35.7 m) long with a longest span of 45 ft (13.7 m) and a deck 31 ft wide.

Who owns New Sweden RD over Little Madawaska River?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.